Veneer clipper



G. HAUMANN Jan. 22, 1952 VENEER LIPPER Fiied March 15, 194s 15 Sheets-Sheet l G. HAUMANN VENEER CLIPPER 13 Sheets-Sheet 2 .N NM W mw I E.

Jan. 22, 1952 Filed March 13, 1948 G. HAUMANN Jan. 2z, 1952 VENEER CLIPPER 13 Sheets-Sheet -5 Filed March 13, 1948 m. M mM mw H m 0. 5 G .w

`Fan. 22, 1952 I G. HAUMANN VENEER CLIPPER 1.5 Sheets-Sl'xeei'I 4 Filed March 13, 1948 A INVENTGR. 650965 HAI/MANA BY G. HAUMANN Jan. 22, 1952 VENEER CLIPPER 13 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 13, 1948 ,4free/ver Jan. 22, 1952 G. HAUMANN 2,583,051

VENEER CLIPPER Filed March l5, 1948 13 Sheets-Sheet 6 e... 4 A mw A ax s. SKO l w27/55% ffm Jan. 22, 1952 G, HAUMANN 2,583,051

VENEER CLIPPER Filed March 15, 1948 l5 Sheets-Sheet '7 6504965 #name/VN G. HAUMANN Jan. 22, 1952 VENEER CLIPPER 13 sheets-sheet a Filed March 13, 1948 G. HAUMANN Jan. 22, 1952 VENEER CLIPPER 13 Sheets-Sheet 9 BY 650465 #4mm/wv fmf/vfy mw P a EME r" TTH l:

Filed March l5, 1948 0 L w a 2 2 Ffa. 12

Jam 22, 1952 G. HAUMANN 2,583,051

VENEER CLIPPER Filed March 13, 1948 l5 Sheets-Sheet lO Jan. 22, 1952 e. HAUMANN 2,583,051

' VENEER CLIPPER Filed March l5, 1948 15 Sheets-Sheet ll 260 JNVENTOR.

ai Go/ass #nz/MAN@ G. HAUMANN Jah. 22, 1952 VENEER CLIPPER neem-sheet 12 Filed March 13, -1948 INP-'EN TOR.

i? 4free/vens G. HAUMANN VENEER CLIPPER Jan. 22, 1952 F'ild March 13, 1948 13 Sheets-Sheet 13 5G. fg

JNVENTOR. 29/ G15-ansi #4a/mamy BY l frans/5X5 Patented Jan. 22, 1952 VENEER CLIPPER George Haumann, Portland, Oreg., assignor to The Coe Manufacturing Company, Painesville,

Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application March 13, 1948, Serial No. 14,681

14 Claims.

The present invention relates tocutting machines and, more particularly, to machines used to cut or clip sheets of veneer into sections usually of predetermined standard width. In the veneer industry, these machines are commonly called clippers or veneer clippers.

In the manufacture of veneer, it is desirable to out or clip the continuously moving sheet of veneer as it comes from the veneer lathe or peeler into predetermined standard widths of 24", 30, 36, 42" and 48". If all of the veneer was usable, the design and construction of a satisfactory machine for this purpose would not present any great problem; however, the veneer is not all usable. The presence of knots and like defects necessitates cutting out defective parts and continuous, manual selection of the standard width to be cut so that the greatest number `of sections of maximum width can be cut from any given strip of veneer. In the event that the defect is comparatively small, it is only necessary to cut out a comparatively narrow section or strip in order to eliminate the defect, which necessitates the making of two cuts in quick succession in the relatively rapidly traveling sheet of veneer.

The principal object of the present invention is the provision of a veneer clipper of novel and improved .design for clipping a continuously moving strip of veneer, which clipper comprises a relatively light-weight mechanism for carrying the knife, which mechanism is slidably supported by a relatively heavy frame member so as to assure accuracy, in combination with power means for reciprocating the knife, and capable of moving it at such a high speed that the knife will not materially interfere with the continuous movement of the veneer.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a veneer clipper of the character referred to comprising novel and improved means for controlling the clipping operation whereby defective sections can be accurately cut from a continuously movingsheet or strip of veneer, or succeeding portions of the veneer strip can be cut into the same or different standard size sections.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel and improved veneer clipper of the character referred to comprising means for automatically cutting a continuously moving sheet of veneer into sections of standard width.

The invention resides in certain constructions and combinations and arrangements of parts and further objects and advantages will be apparent to thoseskilled in the' art from'the following de- -clipper embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the veneer clipper shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, side elevational view of the clipper proper;

Fig. 4 is a sectional View approximately on the line 4--4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view approximately on the line 5-5 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 6 is a-fragmentary sectional view approximately on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view approximately on the line I-T of Fig. 4;

Fig-8 is an enlarged, fragmentary plan view, with portions in section, of the hold-down mechanism;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary, side elevational view of the clipper proper, looking from the rear, as viewed in Figs. l and 3;

Fig. 10A is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional View approximately on the line l-I of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged, -fragmentary sectional view approximately on the line Il-ll of Fig. 9;

Fig, 12 is an enlarged, fragmentary plan view showing part of the control mechanism for actuating the clipper proper;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the control mechanism shown in Fig. l2;

Fig. 14 is a sectional view, with portions in elevation, approximately on the line l4-I4 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a schematic wiring diagram of the electrical circuits of the veneer clipper;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the clipper, but showing an alternative form of control mechanism;

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary plan view of the clipper shown in Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 14

Generally speaking, the clipper shown comprises a feed table, designated by the reference character A, adapted to receive veneer to be clipped from a veneer lathe or some other suit- .the table is supported on the clipper proper.

able machine; a clippcx".prcper, designated by the reference character B, adapted to receive and clip the veneer fed thereto by the feed table A; a run-out table C for carrying the clipped veneer away from the clipper proper; and a control mechanism, designated by the reference character D, for controlling the actuation of the knife of the clipper. The feed table A and the run-out table C are made of welded-up, structural shapes and plates and may be of any suitable size, depending upon the width of the veneer to be handled and the absence or presence of other conveyor mechanism for transferring the veneer from the veneer lathe to the clipper. The rightnand part of the table is inclined upwardly from the right, as shown in Fig. 1, and the right-hand end thereof, which is relatively low, is adapted to be positioned adjacent to the veneer lathe so that it can receive the veneer directly from the lathe.

The frame of the feed table comprises suitable side and transverse structural Amembers IG, ll, i2, i3, I4, l5, I 5, Il and I8, respectively, welded or bolted together, and vto leg members 20, 2l, 22, 23.The leg members 26, 2l are at the righthand end of the table, as viewed in Figs. l and 2, and the leg members 22 and '23 lare Aadjacent to the middle of the table. The left-hand end of The table proper comprises a plurality of flexible, continuous belts 2t encircling Vsuitable pulleys 25, 2G located at opposite ends of the table. The pulleys 25 are keyed to a transversely extending shaft 3i) journaled in bearing brackets 3l bolted or otherwise secured to the transverse frame member i4. rllhe shaft 3%] is adapted'to'be driven by an electric motor 32 connected to the shaft 3l! by a remote control. variable speed drive 33; for example, a Reeves variable speed drive having a motor 3s for varying the speed of the drive. The control for the motor k843 is preferably a reversing, pedal-operated, floor switch 35 located at the operators position, hereinafter referred to.

A roller 4t) supported in suitable bearing brackets si connected to vertical plate members i2 welded to the transverse frame member lil and the leg members 22, 23 ysupports the yupper reaches of the belts 2li at the point where they change to a horizontal position. The return lreaches of the belts are supported by a similar roller 4S supported ina similar manner. The rollers 45, 'd3 may be of any desired construction. As shown, they comprise cylindrical, tubular sleeves fixed upon transverse shafts. The rollers may be driven, if desired, as 'by the timing sprocket chain 4s encircling a sprocket wheel 45 on the front end of the shaft 3D, as viewed in Figs. l and ,2, and a sprocket wheel 45 located adjacent to the clipper proper. The sprocket chain rides overand engages sprockets 41', 4'8 on the reduced front ends of the rollers 40, 43. The pulleys 26 are keyed to a transversely extending shaft 55 which may be considered a part of the clipper proper and which extends between the side frames l, 52 of the clipper. The shaft 50 is rotatably supported in suitable bearing 'brackets 53 bolted to the top of a transversely extending T-.member 54 extending between the side frames 5l, 52 and bolted thereto.

The upper reaches of the belts 24 are .supported adjacent to the clipper proper by two rollers 55, 55, the first of which is carried by suitable bea-ring brackets 5l, 58 bolted to the forward sides of the transversely extending frame member I8. The roller 55 is supported in suitable bearings Bil, 6l,

one at each end, fixed to the upper ends of threaded members 62, 63 projecting downwardly through bosses formed in brackets :'54, 55 bolted to the member 54. The members 62, 63 are provided with nuts 66 abutting the upper ends of the bosses and provide means for adjusting the height of the roller 55. The roller 55, hereinafter called the hump-up roller, is normally so positioned that it is slightly higher than the pulleys 2S, the roller 55, and the upper surface of the members 88, 3l, with the result that the upper reaches of the belts and the veneer carried thereby are humpedmp between the roller 55 and the pulleys 26 4on the member 88.

'The knife 1.0, which has its lower end beveled on .the vside facing the direction from which the veneer is fed, is relatively light in weight, is detachably connected as by screws 'H to the lower ends of vertically positioned members 'l2 slidably supported upon the front face of a knife bar 13 formed as a part of an 'integral casting lll, including a transversely extending, hollow, semicylindrical top section 15; a transversely extending, inclined portion 16; and two end members 11, 18. The members 12, of which there are any desired number depending upon the width of the clipper, are slidably supported on the knife bar 'i3 for vertical reciprocation by guide members 5t, Sl detachably bolted to the right-hand face of the knife bar by bolts 82. The upper ends of the members 12 are provided with rack `teeth 23 and are adapted to be simultaneously 'reciprocate-d to reciprocate the knife 'l0 by gear wheels B4 keyed to a transversely extending yshaft l85. The shaft t5 is rotatably supported inthe end members 11', 18 of the knife bar vcasting and in bearing brackets 8S bolted to the face of the knife 'bar proper 13.

The knife 16, when in its lower position, contacts a lead insert 81 inthe upper surface of an annularly-shaped member 88 extending across the clipper and fixedly bolted to the upper lefthand faces of the bearing members 53 which lare cut out slightly to receive the member 88, as by bolts 9G. A sheet metal shield 9i resting upon the bearing brackets 53 forms a continuous support for the veneer to be clipped as it approaches the knife. The right-hand yend of the shield 9|. as viewed in Fig. 5, is clamped about an angle iron S2 bolted to the right-hand sides of the bearing brackets 53 and the left-hand end of the shield is supported between the bearing brackets by angle irons 93 extending between the bearing brackets' and connected to the right-hand side of the member V88. The shield 9H is provided with rsuitable cut-outs to permit the 'belts 24 to pass therethrough. y

The run-out table proper comprises a plurality of belts 95 similar to the belts 24, previously referred to, surrounding pulleys 9B, 91 located adjacent to'the stationary member 88 and, at the left-hand end of the run-out table, the pulleys 96 are keyed to a transversely extending shaft 98 rotatably supported in suitable bearing brackets |00 detachably bolted to the tcp of the left-hand part of the bed 154. The shaft 98 and, in turn, the belts 95 are driven from the shaft 5t through a sprocket chain drive, designated by the reference characterl 100, located within the member 11 and operatively connected to the front ends of the shafts 50, 98, as viewed in Figs. l and 3. The pulleys 91 are keyed to a transversely extending shaft Il supported in bearing brackets |02 bolted to fa transverse .member |03 of the frame of. the bed proper. The frame of the .run-cut table C includes suitable side members |04,

connected to a transverse member |06 extending between the side housings 5|, 52 and to the transverse member |03. The left-hand end of the run-out table C, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 4, is supported by leg members |01, |08 welded to the transverse member |03 and the side members |54, |05.

As the veneer approaches the cutting position, the feeding effect of the belts 24 is assisted by a hold-down mechanism including a plurality of sprocket chains ||0 surrounding sprocket wheels ill, ||2. The sprocket wheels are adjustably connected to a transversely extending shaft ||3 supported by a plurality of bearings fixed to longitudinally extending side arms IIB, ||1 midway between the ends thereof, the forward ends of which arms are pivoted to short shafts adjustably fixed in bosses |2| in opposite side members 11, 18. TheA shaft ||3 is preferably positioned directly above the roller 55. The construction is such that the side arms H6, ||1 are free to pivot about the shafts |20 as an axis and cause the sprocket chains |I0, of which there is one for each belt 24, to engage the belt or press the veneer against the upper reach of the belt, as the case may be. In order to prevent the sprocket wheels ||i from cutting the belts 24 when there is no veneer passing underneath the sprocket wheels, each wheel is provided with one or two annular flanges |22, the radial outer parts of which extend slightly beyond the ends of the sprocket teeth and ride upon the belts 24 in place of the sprocket teeth. The sprocket wheels |2 are rotatably supported upon suitable bearings secured by bolts |23 to the projecting ends of arms |24, the free ends of which |25 project adjacent to the knife 10. The right-hand ends of the arms |24, as viewed in Fig. 4, are pivotally supported upon the shaft ||3. The arms are made in two parts adjustable relative to each other by the cap screws 26 so that the free ends of the arms may be adjusted closer to or further away from the knife 10 as desired. The construction is such that in the event the veneer humps up in front of the knife 10, the arms |24 are free to pivot about the shaft ||3 and the shaft ||3 is free to rotate about the pivots |20, thus allowing the sprocket chains ||0 to raise causing minimum damage, if any, to the veneer.

The shaft I3 is driven by a sprocket chain |30 connected to a sprocket wheel |3I iixed to the rear end of the shaft ||3 and a sprocket wheel |32 formed integral with a small pinion |33 and rotatably supported upon an eccentric portion |34 of the rear shaft |20. The pinion |33 is continuously in mesh with a gear |35 fixed to the transversely extending shaft 50, previously referred to, and which shaft is continuously driven from the shaft 30 by the belts 24. The fact that the portion |34 of the shaft |20 at the rear of the machine upon which the sprocket wheel |32 and the pinion |33 are rotatably supported is eccentric, allows for limited adjustment of the gears |33, |35 relative to each other.

In some instances, the le'ading end of a sheet of veneer is curled slightly upward as it approaches the clipper proper, and the present invention provides means for straightening out the veneer and feeding it to the space intermediate the upper reaches of the belts 24 and the lower reaches of the sprocket chains ||0. As shown. this means comprises a plurality of sprocket chains encircling sprocket wheels |4|, |42.

The sprocket wheels 14| which are of slightly less- 6 diameter than the sprocket wheels l 1|-, are keyed to the shaft ||3 midway between adjacent sprocket wheels The sprocket wheels |42 are keyed to a transversely extending shaft |43 extending between and rotatably supported in the free right-hand ends of the longitudinally extending side members ||5, ||1. The centers of the sprocket wheels I |32, |42 are substantially aligned, with the result that the sprocket wheels |42, which are of less diameter than the sprocket wheels |45, and the right-hand ends of the sprocket chains |40 are raised above the belts 24 since the sprocket wheels are of relatively large diameter. The shaft 3 is driven from the shaft 5t, as previously pointed out, and the relative size of the sprocket wheels I, 4|, |42 is such that the sprocket chains |40 are driven in such a manner that the travel thereof in feet per minute exceeds that of the belts 24. As a result,

a curled end of a sheet of veneer approaching the clipper proper is pulled forwardly and downwardly by the lower reaches of the sprocket chains |40 and fed between the upper reaches of the belts 24 and the lower reaches of the sprocket chains 0.

If desired, movement of the hold-down mechanisrn toward the belts 24 may be limited by an ad- `instable stop, such as, the threaded member |44 adiustably connected to the side arm ||1, the lower end of which member is adapted to engage the top of the angle iron I8 of the feed table.

The shaft 85 is adapted to be oscillated to reciprooate the cutting blade or knife 10 by a double-acting, pressure fluid actuated motor carried by the rear end member 52, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 3. The fluid pressure actuated motor |53 is of the reciprocating piston type and may be of any suitable commercial construction. Sufce it to say that the motor shown comprises a cylinder |5| provided with upper and lower cylinder heads'l52, |53, respectively. The lower cylinder head |53 is pivotally connected, as by a pin itat?, to a bracket detachably bolted to the member 52. A piston |540` reciprocable within the cylinder |5| is connected to a piston rod |51, the

upper end of which is pivotally connected by a yoke member |53 and a bolt |59 to links |60, ISI. The end of the link |50, other than the end pivotally connected to the upper end of the piston rod |57, is pivotally connected to a xed pivot |52 carried by a bracket |53 bolted to the casting 14. The ends of the links |6|, other than the ends pivotally connected to the piston rod |51, are pivotally connected to the free end of a yoke-like lever |454 keyed to the rear end of the transversely extending shaft 85 which operates the knife 13. The construction is such that as the piston Hit reciprocates in the cylinder I5! from either end to the other, the lever |54 is oscillated from the position shown in full lines in Fig. 9 to the position` shown in dot-dash lines in the same figure and back again to starting position and the knife 1G caused to make one complete reciprocation.

The ow of pressure fluid to and from the motor EEO is'contrclled by a solenoid operated, fourway valve i55 of commercial construction; for

example, a 6 DSM-4 double solenoid, momentary contact valve sold by Mumatics of Milford, Michiganl Suffice it to say that as one or the other of the solenoids |56, |51 is energized momentarily, the fvalve `proper is shifted from one to the other of its positions admitting fluid to the end of the cylinder previously connected to exhaust and connectingto exhaust the opposite end of the cylinder. whichpreviously had been connected with thepressu're Afluid supply. The piston |56 essere Q f the mild pressure meter H9 is. .Se censimenti that asv it approaches opposite .ends @i its sticks, itsmovement is retarded and cushioned by entrappingl fluid in Ythe en d toward V Whiph it Ais moving. This is accomplished by having the con-v duits |08, |69 which connect the ymotor with the valve, communicate with chambers |10, |1| in the cylinder heads |02, |53, respeetivelywhih chambers, in turn, communicate vwith lthe interior of the cylinder 10| by apertures |12, |13 I respectively. The piston rod r|51 projects through the upper aperture |12 at all times and through .the lower aperture when the piston yis near the lower end of its stroke. The aperture |12 is slightly larger than the piston rod proper, allowing the pressure huid to normally now thereabQlll? into the upper end of the cylinder 15|. The apertures |12, |13 are closed so as to restrict the OW of pressure uid from the cylinder into the chambers |10, |1|, respectively, and, in turn, l to exhaust, depending upon the direction in which the piston liead |56 is moving, by enlargements |14, |15 on the piston rod adjacent to the piston, which enlargements in the embodiment -show n are formed by sleeve members surrounding the piston rod and fixed thereto. vThe construction is such that the aperture |12 or |13, as the case may be, is closed shortly before the piston reaches the end of its stroke, thereby trapping viiuid in the end of the cylinder toward lwhich the `piston is moving. The fluid thus trapped builds up a counterpressure which cushions the movement of the piston. The trapped duid is allowed to escape through adjustable-metering valves |10, `one of which is located in .each vof the cylinder heads |52, |03 thereby permitting the piston to eventually seat against one or the other Aof the cylinder heads.

When one of the apertures |12 or |13 is closed because the piston is at one end or the other of its stroke and it is desired to admit pressure fluid into the closed end of the cylinder to move the piston toward the opposite end of Athe cylinder, the presure fluid lis admitted behindthe piston through one or the other of two check valves |11, |18 vof well-known construction located in passages in the cylinder heads |52, |53, respectively, communicating vwith the chambers |10, |1| and the interior of the cylinder 15|. The

check valves permit pressure fluid to enter the i ends of the cylinders from the chambers |10, |1| but do not allow the pressure Huid to ,ow from the cylinder into the chambers.

The solenoids |06, |61 of the four-way valve |60 are adapted to be selectively energized upon the closing of a normally open switch |80 by a single pole, double throw switch |8| in series circuit therewith rand -a source of Aelectrical energy represented by the supply lines |82, |83, see wiring diagram. The switch |8| is connected to the rear end member 52 and includes an upwardly extending operating arm |04 adapted ito be moved from one to the otherof two normal positions to connect one or the other of -the solenoids the circuit. The switch 18| may be of any suitable commercial construction, such as. a Snap-Lock limit switch No. 16D.HL1200 sold by The National Acme Company, Cleveland, Ohio. The operating -arm |82 of switch 18| is adapted to be moved from one to ythe other of its two positions by-cam means .comprising two cam plates |80, |00 adjustable about the ypivot |62 by cap screws extending vthrough slots in the cam plates and threaded in tapped apertures in a yholding plate |81 .connected to .tnelever |60.

The .eenstructlcn is ,Such that if the `witch .1.8.0 isclosed when the lpiston head |56 is at the upper @ad .of the cylinder ISI with mesure iluisi applied t0 'the lower end of the cylinder and the upper Open to exhaust, the .four-Way valve Vwill be shifted t0 reverse the directies of 110W Q f pres- .Sure -lluisl to the motor |50 and vite versa.

The closing of the switch |80 is controlled by a condition or signal on a Vflexible control member having a reach extending lengthwise of the strip of veneer being fed to the knife and drives in timed relation to the movement of the veneer. In the present embodiment this means comprises a plurality of pins 200 slidably supported in links 20| of a sprocket chain, designated generally by the reference character 202. In the embodiment shown, the links 20| are elongated and each link carries eight pins 200 `slidably supported in suitable apertures therein ior movement parallel to the `axis of rotation of the sprocket wheels 203, 201i about which the sprocket chain 202 is looped. The pins 200 are provided with heads which limit their movement toward the left, as viewed in 14. Normally the pins are in the position occupied by most of the pins shown in the upper reach of the sprocket chain, see Fig. 12, with their rear ends conned within the links 20| of the sprocket chain. When pushed to the rear, they are in position to engage a roller 205 o f the operating arm 200 of the switch |80 and close the contacts thereof while the pin is in engagement with the roller.

The upper and lower reaches of the sprocket chain 202 between the sprocket wheels 203, 20,4 aresupported by channel members 201, 208 bolted or otherwise fixed to angle irons 2|0, 21| xedly secured to the side frame member I2. The links 201 of the sprocket chain 202 are connected to.- gether by relatively short links 212 connected to the adjacent ends of adjoining links by pintle pins 2113 held in position by cotter pins or the like. 'he sprocket wheels 203, V200 are hexagonal in shape and each comprises six sprocket teeth 2M. '.he construction is such that the long links 20j engage the flat surfaces 2|5 on the sprocket wheels and the sprocket teeth engage between the pairs of short links 2|2 and inter.- mediate adjacent ends of adjoining long links, which ends are slightly cut out, as shown in Fig. 13,110 better receive the sprocket .teeth 2id.

The vsprocket wheel 203 is rotatably supported by .a bracket adjustably connected to the side frame l2 by screws 210 yso that the tension on the chain can be adjusted. The vsprocket wheel 204 is ,connected to one end of a shaft 220 upon the other end of which the sprocket wheel E is keyed. The shaft 220 is rotatably supported in a bracket 22 S bolted to the left-hand side of the cross member 1 3 of the feed table.. Thesprocket wheel 204 is adjustably Vvcormected to the end o f the shaft 2,20 by being clamped between -a shoulder 222 on the shaft and a jam nut 223 threaded upon the end of the shaft. The ljam nut 2,23 `:is tightened against the sprocket wheel y204 only a suflicient amount to cause the sprocket wheel to normally 1 5 reef 0r projecting' position S0 as to lengage the roller 205 and close the normally open switch |80 by solenoid-operated plungers 230 to 235 spaced along the sprocket chain 202. The operating solenoids for the plungers 230 to 235 are designated by the reference characters 240 to 245,

respectively, The solenoids are xed to brackets or housing 246 to 25| located at spaced intervals along the upper reach of the sprocket chain 262 and detachably secured to a plate 253 fixed to the top of the side member |2. The plungers in the embodiment shown are xedly secured to the armature of the solenoid with which they are associated and operate to push one of the pins 200 into projecting position when the solenoids are energized. The plungers are normally held in inoperative position by springs 252 surrounding the same and interposed between a shoulder thereon formed by the connection between the plunger and its associated armature proper and the near side of an upstan'ding part ofA the bracket which carries the solenoid.

The sprocket chain 202 travels at the same speed as the belts 24 and, in turn, the veneer to be clipped and the location of the switch |80 with respect to the solenoid-operated plungers 230 to 235 is such that when that part of the Veneer directly in line with one of the plungers at the time the solenoid associated therewith is energized reaches cutting position, the pin projected by the actuation of the solenoid will close the switch |80 and cause a reciprocation of the cutting knife 10.

The solenoid-operated plunger 230 is pref erably located in a fixed position, which position is hereinafter referred to as the reference position and the other solenoid-operated plungers located at predetermined distances therebehind, referring to the direction of travel of the upper reach of the sprocket chain 202. The second solenoid-operated plunger 23| is spaced a short distance behind the solenoid-operated plunger 235 such that if both plungers are simultaneously projected, two pins 200 relatively close together will be pushed out of the sprocket chain, which pins will subsequently cause the narrow piece of veneer therebetween at the time their respective solenoids are energized to be cut from the strip. The third, fourth, fth and sixth solenoid-operated plungers 232, 233, 234, 235 are preferably spaced 24, 36", 48" and 60" behind the first solenoid-operated plunger 230 or the reference position.

The energizing circuit for the solenoid 240 includes a manually operated push buttonswitch 254 which, in addition to being in series circuit 4across the supply lines |32, |83 with the solenoid '240, is in series circuit with a timing relay 255 which opens the circuit after a very short interval; for examplaafter two cycles, even though the switch 254 may be held closed for a much longer period. The timing relay is for the purpose of preventing the solenoid 240 from operating upon more than one pin 200 for each actuation of the manual switch 254. The timing switch is preferably such that it maintains the circuit open until the operator has released the push button switch 254 and may be of any suitable commercial construction, such as, a Weldmaster timer NEMA Type l sold by The Clark Controller Company, Cleveland, Ohio. Energization of the solenoid 24|, hereinafter referred to as the double-cut solenoid, is controlled by. a manual push button switch 256 connected in series circuit with the solenoid 24|. The solenoid 24| and the push button switch 256 are coni.

the solenoids 240, 24|.

The present invention also contemplates means for automatically energizing a selected one of the solenoids 242, 243, 244, 245 to cut the veneer into predetermined widths and the periodic energization of the selected solenoid may be continuous or under the control of the operator. For automatically energizing a selected one of the solenoids 242 to 245, a normally open limit switch 251 is secured to the bracket 246 in position to be closed by a pin 200, the end of which has been projected outwardly from the sprocket chain. The switch 251 is in series circuit across the supply lines |82, |63 with a normally closed limit switch 25S, hereinafter referred to, a timing relay 255 similar to the timing relay 255 previously referred to, a ve position selecting switch 260 or a plurality of manually controlled, normally open push button switches 26|, 262, 263, 254, and a selected one of the aforementioned solenoids. The switches 26|, 262, 263, 264 are in Vseries circuit with the solenoids 242, 243,

244, 245, respectively. Any one of the switches 26| to 264 may be shorted or shunted` out of the circuit and a circuit maintained therearound by the multiple position selector switch 260. The switches 254, 256, 260 to 264 are grouped together on a control panel 265 located at the operators position and connected to the side member |2 of the feed table adjacent to the clipper proper by a member 266.

'I'he switches 251, 258 are xed to the forward end of the angle iron 2 I0 and the normally closed switch 258 which is in series circuit with the normally open switch 251 is so positioned with respect to the sprocket chain 220 that it will be opened by the trailing one of two double-cut pins projected by simultaneous energization of the solenoids 24|, 242 simultaneously with the closing of switch 251 by the leading pin. With the switch 258 open, the closing of the switch 251 has no effect insofar as energization of the 'solenoids 242 to 245 are concerned, otherwisea veneer strip of improper width would be cut.v

As previously stated, the solenoids |66, |61 which shift the fluid pressure control valve |65 are energized only instantaneously upon the closing of the switch |80. Reference to Fig. l15, the schematic wiring for the machine,- will show that the switch |8| which selects the solenoid'to be energized, is not directly connected in the solenoid circuits but that the energization of the solenoids is controlled by the switch |8| through two relays 210, 21| adapted to be selectivelyconnected in series circuit across the supply'lines |62, |83 with the switch |80 by the switch |81. The relays 216, 21| are employed so that electrical interlocks may be used to eect energization of the solenoids only for an instant even though the switch |80 may be held closed for a considerable length of time and to prevent repeated energization of one or the other of the solenoids in the event two or more pins 200 are accidentally projected from the sprocket chain l 1 for a given operation of one of the solenoids 240 to 245.

As will be hereinafter apparent, after the switch |80 has been closed, subsequent opening and closing thereof has no affect on the solenoid circuits until the piston of the motor |50 has completed its travel from one end of the cylinder to the other. This result is brought about by a' pair of normally closed contacts 210e and a pair of normally open contacts 210b on relay 216 and similar pairs of normally closed and normally open contacts 21|a and 21|b on relay 21|. The normally closed contacts 21061., 21|a are in series circuit with the switch |80, thereby maintaining the circuit open while either of the relays is energized. The relays are held energized upon the closing of the switch |80 irrespective of whether the switch is subsequently opened and closed until the selector switch |8| is moved to its` opposite position by the normally open contacts 2102) and 21|b, both of which are in shunt circuit about a manually operable push button switch 213 in series with the selector switch |8| and in shunt circuit with the switch |80 and the contacts 210a and 21|a. The manually operable switch 213 which is located at the operators position on the member 266 permits the fluid pressure actuated motor |50 to be operated at will by the operator. When either switch |80 or 213 is closed with both relays 210, 21| deenergized and the solenoid selecting switch |8| in the position shown in the wiring diagram, relay 210 is energized and, in turn, solenoid |66 by the closing of a normally open pair of contacts 210e, which contacts are closed upon energization of the operating solenoid of the relay. The contacts 210e are in series circuit across the supply lines |82, |83 not only with the solenoid |66 but with the pair of normally closed contacts 21|d of relay 21|, which contacts prevent energization of the solenoid |66 while the operating solenoid of relay 21| is energized. In like manner, the solenoid |61 is energized upon the closing of either switch |80 or 213 when the solenoid selecting switch |8| is in the other of its two positions by the normally open contacts 21 |c in series circuit across the supply lines |82, |63 with the solenoid |61 and normally closed contacts 210d of relay 210 which correspond with the normally closed contacts 21|d of relay 21|.

Operation "I 'he operation of the clipper will be readily apparent `from the foregoing description. Suiiice it to say that withythe drive motor 32 in operation, veneer will be moved along thefeed table A by the belts 24, through the clipper proper B underneath the knife 10, and along the run-'out table C by the belts 35. The operator stands at a position adjacent the push button switches 254', 256 and 260 to 264 so that he can watch the veneer and cause sections of desired width to be cut. The clipper can be manually controlled to cut sections of any desired random width from the strip of veneer by the push button switch 254 or can be automatically controlled to cut sections .of any predetermined width; for example, 24".

.367', 48 or 60" by setting the selector switch v,Uponeach energization of one or'the other jef the soienbids las, |61 by the closing of tbe switch |80 or the switch 213 and actuatin of their associated relays, etc., the piston |56 of the motor |50 is moved from one end of the cylinder |5| to the other depending upon the position ofthe piston and the switchI |8| at the start of the operation. As the piston of the motor |50 moves from one end of the cylinder to the other, thev sha-ft 25 is oscillated by the crankarm |64 and the links, etc., associated therewith. The crankarm |64 moves from the position shown in full lines in Fig. 9 to the position shown in dot-dash lines, and back again to the full line position, thusv causing the knife 10 to make one stroke and return to starting position. The knife 10 and its operating mechanism is relatively light and has a small inertia which permits it to be reciprocated very rapidly.

While the knife 10 is cutting through the veneer, the travel of the veneer immediately in front of the knife is interrupted for a very short period; however, the veneer merely humps up a small amount in advance of the knife because of the hump-up roller 56. If it were not for the hump-up roller, the veneer might be pushed back along the feed table and its position with respect to the timing or sprocket chain 4f! and the control sprocket chain 202 altered, which cause the next cut to occur at an improper position, assuming that one or more pins 200 had been projected from the sprocket chain 20?. in the interim between the projection of the pin 200 then causing the operation of the knife and the actual cut. As the veneer approaches the knife 10, it is held in contact with the belts 24 so that it z will travel therealong at the same speed as the belts by the holddown mechanism including the sprocket chain ||0 and the sprocket wheels and their associated flanged members |22 but the hold-down mechanism permits the veneer to hump-up without damage since it is pivoted about the short shafts |20.

M odifcation Figs. 16 to 19 show a modified means for con' trolling the energization of the solenoids |66, |61 and, in turn, the operation of the clipper knife, which means may be substituted for the control means shown in Figs. l to 15 heretofore described.

Referring to Figs. 16 to 19, the flexible control member, that is, the control chain 202 and the sprocket wheels 203, 204 about which it is looped, employed in the embodiment already described, are replaced by a continuous magnetizable wire' 215 similar to that employed in commercial wire recorders, looped about suitable pulleys 216, 211 which replace the sprocket wheels 203, 204, re- A"spectivelyythe' plungers 230 to 235 and their operating solenoids v24|) to 245 are replaced by magnetizing heads 260 to 285 and suitable operatingmechanism 286 to 29|, respectively; and the switches |80, 251, 258 are replaced by magnetic pick-up heads 292, 293, 294, respectively, operatively connected through suitable electronic amplifying mechanism 295, 236, 291 to relays 360,. 30|,- 302, respectively. Relays 300, 30| have nor-4 mally open contacts 30011, 30|a, respectively, lo cated in the control circuit in the same position as the normally open switches |80, 251 of the previous embodiment and relay 302 has a pair of normally closed contacts 302e located in the control circuit in the same position as that previously 'occupied by the normally closed contact 'of switch 258. Except asv herein noted, the control circuits for both embodiments are the 13 same and the duplicate parts are designated by the same reference characters.

The magnetizing heads 23|)V to 235 and their associated mechanism 286 to 29| and the magnetic pick-up heads 292 to 29,4 and their associated mechanism 295 to 291 may be of any suitable commercial construction, that is, similar to those employed in commercial wire or tape recorders, such as, a Webster Model 80, andare not herein shown and. described in detail. Sufce it to say that the magnetizing heads 280 to 295 and their associated mechanism 236 to 29| are suitably modified and connected in the circuit employed in the original embodiment in the place previously occupied by the solenoids 240 to.245, respectively, and the energization thereof is controlled by the switches 254, 258 and 25| to 264 in place of microphones.

Reference to Fig. 19 will show that upon the closing of any one of the switches 254, 256, 29| to 264, a selected one of the magnetizing heads will be momentarily energized to magnetize a short section of the wire 215 immediately adjacent thereto. As the wire travels about the pulleys 216, 211, the magentized portions travel by the magnetic pick-up heads 29st, 293, 292 in the order mentioned. Energization of the magnetic head 294 will cause the relay 302 associated therewith to open its normally closed contacts 302a but no further function is effected. Subsequent energization of the magnetic head 203 by the same portion of the Wire 215 will cause relay 30| associated therewith to close its nor mally open contacts 301er, thus energizing one of the magnetizing heads 222 to 285 inthe event the selector switch 260 is set on one of its "on positions or if one of the manual push button switches 25| to 264 is closed. If both manual push buttons 254. 25E had previously been simultaneously depressed to cause the clipper to cut a short section from the moving strip of veneer, the leading magnetized portion of the wire 215, that is, the portion magnetized by the-magnetizing head 280 will actuate the relay 30| to close the normally open contacts 30I thereof as the magnetized portion of the wire passes by the pick-up head 293 and simultaneously the trailing magnetized section of the wire 215, that is, the section which was magnetized by the magnetizing head 28| simultaneously with the magnetizing of the leading magnetized portion by the head 280 will energize the relay 302 associated with the pick-up head 293 to open the normally closed contacts 302er While the contacts 30|@ are closed, thus preventing energization of any of the magnetizing heads 222 to 285 regardless of the position of the selector switch 260 or the manual push button switches 26| to 264. As the magnetized portions of the wire 215 pass by the pick-up head 292, they cause the relay 300 to close its normally open contacts 30011, which, in turn, energize one or the other of the relays 210, 21| depending upon the position of the switch |8l, which relays, in turn, energize one or the other of the solenoids 66, |51, all as previously described.

An eraser head 303 and the necessaryoperating mechanism therefor, designated generally by the reference character 304, are continuously connected across the supply lines |82, |83. The head 300 is located in advance of the magnetizing head 285 and removes any magnetism in the wire 215 as it approaches the magnetizing heads. Like the magnetizing and pick-up heads, the eraser head and its associated mechanism may from a continuously moving strip of veneer or to cut the veneer in predetermined lengths either manually or automatically. While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in considerable detail, the invention is not limited to the particular construction shown, and it is my intention to cover hereby all adaptations, modifications and uses which come within the practice of those skilled in the art to which the invention relates and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. In a high speed veneer clipper of the character referred to, a rigid frame comprising horizontally spaced 'vertical side members, a long vertically movable knife supported by said frame, said knife bein-g thin and light-weight relative to said frame, power means for reciprocating said knife, afeed table for moving veneer tcA cut past said knife, and means raising a portion of the veneer adjacent to said knife above the normal piane of said feed table.

2. In a high speed veneer clipper of the character referred to, a frame comprising horizontally spaced rigid vertical side members rand a rigid cross member extending between saidside members, a long vertically movable knife slidably supported by said cross member, said knife being thin and light-weight relativeto said cross member, a feedv table for feeding veneer past said knife, said knife having the lower edge thereof beveled on the side from which the veneer is fed, means for reciprocating said knife, and means raising a portion of the veneer adjacent to the feed side of the knife above the normal plane of the feed table.

3. In a high speed veneer clipper of the character referred to, a rigid frame comprisingA horizontally spaced vertical side members and spaced rigid head'or crown and bed members extending between said side members providing an opening for the passage of veneer through said frame above said bed member and below said head member, a long vertically movable knife slidably supported by said head member, the said knife being thin and light-weight relative to said head member, a stationary member supported by said bed member for cooperation with said knife .to cut veneer passing beneath said knife,power means for reciprocatingA said knife, a feed table for moving veneer to be cut through said frame beneath said knife, and means raising a portion of the veneer adjacent to said knife above the upper surface of said stationary member.

Ll. In a high speed veneer clipper of the char acter referred to, a rigid frame comprising horizontally spaced vertical side members, a long vertically movable knife, said knife being thin and light-weight relative to said frame, supporting means connected to said knife andyslidable upon a portion of said frame, means for reciprocating said knife including a rotatable shaft operatively connected to said supporting means for impart ing straight line movement thereto while ,mainH taining said supporting means in engagement 

